Thomas Wright's Diary

July August 1858

                             30, July 1858

Ma was quite bit teary-eyed whens we left. Know she is goin ta miss Ems and all. Ems gave Ma Betsy.
Ma doesn't quite take ta Slaves an all. Don't really needs a house Slave. Ma took her, why? Didn't asks.
Poppy be a might upset I am thinkin. We left both thum lookin like theys leavin never see any they know again. Guess ya think about theys may not, leastways that Nigris, won't be a seein anyone from Virginia again.

We stopped just before dark, Ma told Betsy she promised not ta run. She would sleep unchained.
My thinkin is, this far away from home, she might just run.

                             1, August 1858

Well, she didn't run. Don't like it one bit took ta callin me, Masser, not sure about that? Still, haven'ts formed an opinion on Slaves and such.
Hasta get back soon though. Poppy told me I had charge of the Land he owns we have 140 acres, gots corn planted some tobacco. Only 5 acres tobacco 75 corn. Wees only live on the Plantation so Poppy can gets ta chasin those that run faster.
I knows better, Poppy and uncle Tom owes Mister Bowman money, that 120 acres we only gets a fourth of the profits. Mister Bowman gets the rest. Truth be known about eighth of Rivers Edge is made up of Poppies land. Like Poppy says go bust ya pay. Thinks we overpaid a might.

Day was a might hot, made a small canopy ta cover the wagon some, fer shade. Helped some, near dark should be home about 2 -3 days. I am hopin.

                               6, August 1858

Made it home, Poppy was a might happy ta see us, exceptin the Slave we hads. Ma told him it were a gift. Far as she was concerned wees could sets her free! Poppy said, Thom a need someone ta cook and do thins at the old place, Nigris can go with him. Then theys decide what ta do with her.

                           9, August 1858

Been busy past few days, Poppy gave me a list ta keep track of, how many bushels of corn and how much tobacco things like that. Guess Poppy trusts me doing right. Ma treats Betsy to much like a Free person. Poppy unless he needs to doesn't speak ta her. Betsy is just Betsy, property of Ma, she wants ta free her so be it. Be leavin fer the old place, don't know if I wants Betsy that close. I do find her a might pretty. Uncle Tom made it back, said he was packin up movin ta Virginia. They needs Slave chasers. Looks like Poppy be short-handed.

                              11, August 1858

Finally at the old place. Mister Bowman's slaves arrives tomorrow, early ta start the harvest tobacco then the corn. Figure it a take least week get the harvest in. Put Betsy ta work, settin up the place to live in for a week maybe two. Slaves a be stayin here. So check the bigger barn make sure the place still has solid chain eyes. Hate chainin thum up. Can't lose any these slaves, Poppy be chasin not make any money. Told Betsy don't like bein called Masser, Mister Thom or Sir be fine.

Betsy fixed supper had grits a little ham and coffee. I thinks maybe she can read, not sure found her  lookin at my diary. If she can, she ain't supposed ta be able to read. Readin is against the law. Negras can't read have an education. I am sure that Freeman, Parker can. How else can ya run a business. Sun near down needs to be up before sunrise.

                              12, August 1858

Betsy woke me just before sunrise, had breakfast fixed biscuits and some bacon. We talked a spell, seems when alone with me she talks more like a white person not a negris. Saw her smile a few times, like she is happy ta be here. Poppy and Mister Bowman shows up about sun up, 30 slaves followin. Two overseers with thum. A Mister Barns the counter for Mister Bowman also with thum.

Poppy pulled me aside from the rest. Told me ta watch that Barns, ifin I think the count is off, to double check it. This is the last year of the money owed ta Mister Bowman. Poppy wants ta make sure it tallies right. Might make more money it does. The two overseers one that Talbert feller don't like him. Has bad tendency to whip Slaves to long. Then theys useless, can't work for a few days. I don't need any of that goin on.

They worked late into the evenin. Getting almost half the tobacco cut and hung. My count matched Barns count. Thus far, still do as Poppy says watch the man. Me and that Talbert chained the slaves up about dark. Told him ifin he was statyin sleep on the porch. He gots mad, said I wanted ta be alone with that fine negris. His smile was like evil thinks of the devil himself seein it.

Betsy asked real low ifin I trust that overseer. Told her it's not I don't trust him, I don't like him. Told her thought it best for her ta stay with me. Don't need his likes touchin Ma's nigris. Of course she didn't know that part.

                                13, August 1858

Woke ta Betsy next ta me, kinda startled me. Forgots about her in the same bed as me. When she woke she caught me lookin at her. My she looked real good I know her skin felt soft. Had my arm over her when I woke. Mister Thom she said.
Wrong time ta be lookin, best get outa bed. Have breakfast here in a while. The thought of her next to me stayed all day. Made it hard ta keep track of the count. I managed.

Poppy rode out with the two new overseers. Left one of his shot guns, told me just encase is all. Asked ifin I matched Barns count. Told him thus far it does. Only half done, Mister Bowman want more done today. Poppy said speak to the new overseers. Told me he had ta leave soon to Maysville do some business for Mister Bowman.

By end of day, all the tobacco was done. Hung and ready to dry. Start the corn in the mornin. That Talbert stayed ta help, instead of one over nighter
haves two. See why Poppy left the shotgun. Don't trust Talbert that new one Patten not sure of. Just know they ain't stayin in here.